Pemba Sherpa.

[Cosimah2o]

- Pemba Sherpa by Olga Cossi. - Illustrated by Gary Bernard -

In a Sherpa village in the foothills of Nepal's Himalayas, Pemba and his younger sister Yang Ki both yearn for roles as guides and porters to the high country of the mountains.

I want to talk to people on the trail and learn to speak English and then I can be a guide. But girls can't be guides, her brother tells her.

Pemba sherpa tells a story about a courageous young Nepalese, Yang Ki who pursues her dreams to become a guide despite girls are not encouraged, let alone accepted, the roles of women as porters or guides in the Sherpa community.
Young Yang Ki looks up to her older brother and wants to help him carry wood down a long, steep trail so that she can also build up strength and skills necessary in learning to become a Sherpa guide. His brother laughs at her, but Yang Ki is very determined and she secretly follows him up the trail and in a time of need, she rescues her brother who is caught in a landslide, changes his perception of what girls can do.

The best part is that the writing is engaging, and easily understood by early and independent readers. Beautiful watercolor drawings accompany this delightful and inspiring story.
By the way, Pemba Sherpa is dedicated to the memory of Pemba Doma Sherpa (1970-2007) the first Sherpa woman to reach the summit of the North Face of Mt. Everest.